They're biodegradeable - Marcy Rockwell

Writing

Well, I've finally gotten the go-ahead from my editor to make an announcement I've been sitting on for awhile now, and I'm VERY excited to be able to reveal that:

Drum roll...

I have signed with Wizards of the Coast to write TWO more Eberron books!

I can't say much more than that right now, just wanted to let all my loyal fans know you can expect a double dose of Eberron from me in the not-too-distant future. I hope you're all as jazzed about the prospect as I am!

Everything Else

In other news, my skin biopsy came back...inconclusive. There were indications of both an allergic reaction AND a viral exanthem. So now I'm waiting for the blood test results to come in, which will at least tell me if it was Fifth Disease or not. The itching has, mercifully, mostly subsided (thank you, St. Anthony the Great!), so as long as BB is unaffected, it's all good.

Writing

Apparently, my uber-long poem, "Brunhilde's Second Career," came out in the December 2008 issue of Aoife's Kiss. If you seen it (I haven't yet), let me know what you think.

Speaking of poetry, it's that time of the year again -- time for the 2009 Rhysling nominations. Looks like I have 11 poems eligible this year, in both the Short and Long categories:

SHORT:

*"Without Stopping," Champagne Shivers, January 2008
*"Seven Sisters," The Martian Wave, January 2008
*"Spring Came Early," Sam's Dot Publishing 2008 Calendar, January 2008
*"Bait," Oddlands, May 2008
*"Charmer," Scifaikuest, August 2008
*"The First Aura," Tales of the Talisman, Autumn 2008
*"1181 Lilith," Lilith Unbound, September 2008
*"There is a Witch Here," Les Bonnes Fees, October 2008
*"The Diamond Throne," Ideomancer, December 2008

LONG:

*"Another Fairy Tale Ending," Dreams & Nightmares, Winter 2008
*"Brunhilde's Second Career," Aoife's Kiss, December 2008

If any SFPA members would like copies of said poems to help in making their nominations, just drop me a line, and I'll email you a file.

Also, one more Scribe entry is apparently winging its way to my door:

*Stargate SG-1: Hydra by Holly Scott

Everything Else

Gator Bowl: Nebraska 26 - Clemson 21
Rose Bowl: USC 38 - Penn State 24

And happiness reigns in Marcyville!

Update

December 2008 Tally

Submissions: 2
Rejections: 1
Sales: 0

Total submissions for 2008: 44
Total rejections: 33
Total sales: 10

Ave. submissions/month for 2008: 4
Percent sales for 2008: 23%

Well, my total number of subs for 2008 was a little more than half what it was in 2007, but my sales percentage was up 3%. A lot of things contributed to that, including working on a contracted novel for several months, only to have it canceled. Clearly, though, while I'm writing less, I'm selling more of what I DO write, so I guess that's a good thing. Hopefully I'll get that sub percentage back up to 2007 levels -- because if writing less and selling more is a good thing, then writing MORE and selling more must be even better, right?

Writing

I'd hoped to sneak one more sub in this year, but the query I shot out about whether or not a new antho actually does accept poetry (Ralan's says they do; their guidelines beg to differ) has gone unanswered, so I'll have to be content with the above stats for 2008.

Everything Else

Hubby is off to CA to watch USC battle it out against Penn State in the Rose Bowl, so the kids and I will be ringing in the New Year on our own. We have rented a whole pile of movies, and of course there are a ton of bowl games, so I'm sure we'll muddle through just fine.

2008 has been an interesting year -- a lot of blessings (a new baby on the way, Hubby's promotion), and a lot of low points (losing my nephew, having my book canceled), but on the whole, God has been very good to us and I have nothing to complain about.

So here's hoping 2009 holds abundant blessings for all of us, and that we always remember how truly fortunate we really are. Happy New Year!!!!!!!